rachel @ typed truths

Carefree Black Girls by Zeba Blay

Carefree Black Girls by Zeba Blay

In this collection of essays, Blay expands on that initial idea by looking at the significance of influential black women throughout history, including Josephine Baker, Michelle Obama, Rihanna, and Cardi B. Incorporating her own personal experiences as well as astute analysis of these famous women, Blay presents an empowering and celebratory portrait of black women and their effect on American culture. She also examines the many stereotypes that have clung to black women throughout history, whether it is the Mammy, the Angry Black Woman, or more recently, the Thot.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism & racial slurs
Sexual assault mentioned
Attempted suicide mentioned
Suicidal ideation
Police brutality

Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge

Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge and translated by Jeremy Tiang

In the fictional Chinese city of Yong’an, an amateur cryptozoologist is commissioned to uncover the stories of its fabled beasts. These creatures live alongside humans in near-inconspicuousness—save their greenish skin, serrated earlobes, and strange birthmarks. Aided by her elusive former professor and his enigmatic assistant, our narrator sets off to document each beast, and is slowly drawn deeper into a mystery that threatens her very sense of self.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Suicide
Pregnancy
Emesis
Body horror
Cannibalism
Forced institutionalisation
Animal cruelty

The Last Star by Rick Yancey

The Last Star by Rick Yancey

They’re down here, they’re up there, they’re nowhere. They want the Earth, they want us to have it. They came to wipe us out, they came to save us. But beneath these riddles lies one truth: Cassie has been betrayed. So has Ringer. Zombie. Nugget. And all 7.5 billion people who used to live on our planet. Betrayed first by the Others, and now by ourselves. In these last days, Earth’s remaining survivors will need to decide what’s more important: saving themselves…or saving what makes us human.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Death of a child
Gun violence

Robots and Repeats by Gene Luen Yang

Robots & Repeats by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by Mike Holmes

Dr. One-Zero has added a new class to Stately Academy’s curriculum. But in “Advanced Chemistry,” they only teach one lesson: how to make Green Pop! While their classmates are manufacturing this dangerous soda, the Coders uncover a clue that may lead them to Hopper’s missing dad. Is it time to use Professor Bee’s most powerful weapon: the Turtle of Light?

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Disappearance of a parent

Secrets and Sequences by Gene Luen Yang

Secrets & Sequences by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by Mike Holmes

Stately Academy is no ordinary school: it was once home to an elite institute where teachers, students, and robots worked together to unravel the mysteries of coding. Hopper, Eni, and Josh won’t rest until they’ve learned the whole story, but they aren’t the only ones interested in the school’s past. Principal Dean is hot on their trail, demanding that the coders turn over their most powerful robot. Dean may be a creep, but he’s nothing compared to the guy who’s really in charge: a green-skinned coding genius named Professor One-Zero.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Animal attack

Room to Dream by Kelly Yang

Room to Dream by Kelly Yang

After years of hard work, Mia Tang finally gets to go on vacation with her family — to China! A total dream come true! Mia can’t wait to see all her cousins and grandparents again, especially her cousin Shen. As she roams around Beijing, witnessing some of the big changes China’s going through, Mia thinks about the changes in her own life, like . . . 1. Lupe’s taking classes at the high school! And Mia’s own plans to be a big writer are … Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism & colourism
Gentrification
Bullying

White Ivy by Susie Yang

White Ivy by Susie Yang

Ivy Lin is a thief and a liar—but you’d never know it by looking at her. Raised outside of Boston, she is taught how to pilfer items from yard sales and second-hand shops by her immigrant grandmother. Thieving allows Ivy to accumulate the trappings of a suburban teen—and, most importantly, to attract the attention of Gideon Speyer, the golden boy of a wealthy political family. But when Ivy’s mother discovers her trespasses, punishment is swift and Ivy is sent to China, where her dream instantly evaporates. Years later, Ivy has grown into a poised yet restless young… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Ableism & ableist language
Fatmisia & body shaming
Classism
Cheating
Dubious consent scenario*
Eating disorder
Suicidal ideation
Alcohol consumption
Smoking
Cancer
Murder
Bullying

* Context : Characters have sex while drunk.

Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap

Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap

“Am I dead?” Mebuyen sighs. She was hoping the girl would not ask. Spells and stories, urban legends and immigrant tales: the magic in Isabel Yap’s debut collection jumps right off the page, from the joy in her new novella, ‘A Spell for Foolish Hearts’ to the terrifying tension of the urban legend ‘Have You Heard the One About Anamaria Marquez’.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Homomisia
Deadnaming
Misgendering
Rape
Statutory rape
Suicide
Blood & gore depiction
Murder

This Is My Truth by Yasmin Rahman

This Is My Truth by Yasmin Rahman

High school junior Gigi Wong strives to be the best: the top student, the perfect friend, and the ideal daughter. But it’s tough when there’s always someone who is just a little bit better. With college applications looming, she can’t help but worry that she won’t make the cut. Thankfully, her best friend Kyle never fails to find the right words–and the perfect bowl of ramen–to cheer her up.Best friends Amani and Huda are getting nervous about their GCSEs – and their future beyond school, which they’re both wildly unprepared for. Shy, quiet Amani has an outwardly picture-perfect family – a father who is a successful TV presenter… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism
Islamomisia
Domestic violence

Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen

Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen

High school junior Gigi Wong strives to be the best: the top student, the perfect friend, and the ideal daughter. But it’s tough when there’s always someone who is just a little bit better. With college applications looming, she can’t help but worry that she won’t make the cut. Thankfully, her best friend Kyle never fails to find the right words–and the perfect bowl of ramen–to cheer her up. After her teacher, Ms. Harris, announces she’ll be nominating students for an app writing contest, Gigi is determined to be picked… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

Racism